 |
Think Like a Pancreas: A Practical Guide to Managing Diabetes with Insulin by M.S. Gary Scheiner M.S.
Book Summary InformationAuthor: M.S. Gary Scheiner M.S. Foreword: Ph.D. Barry Goldstein M.D. M.D. Edition: Paperback Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published) Published: 2004-06-07 ISBN: 1569244367 Number of pages: 256 Publisher: Da Capo Press Accessories:
Book Reviews of Think Like a Pancreas: A Practical Guide to Managing Diabetes with InsulinBook Review: A new recommended must-have for diabetics Summary: 5 Stars
I am the editor of Diabetic Mommy Online Magazine. I have lots of diabetes books in my personal library and there are a select few that I am always recommending to members on my site. This one is now at the top of my list of essential diabetes books for insulin users, both syringe and pump users.
I found this book at my local library. I thought it had a catchy title and took it home. Cute title aside, this book took me by total surprise. It is now on my wish-list because it will make a tremendous difference in my self-management plus I want to mark this baby up with notes.
If you have diabetes, you might be like me...you read in books and hear organizations stressing self-management however your own healthcare team won't give you enough information to make corrections on your own so you are still dependent on them for every single little adjustment. Busy schedules for all parties mean that a simple correction can be a hassle and a long wait.
This book is not intended to be a replacement for your healtcare team, don't get me wrong, but it provides you with enough information so that you will not be totally helpless and you will have more knowledge to work WITH your team rather than just be the recipient of instructions.
This book covers many topics: Why diabetics need to be in control of their glucose levels, history of diabetes, insulin basics, tips, various methods of insulin dosing, having diabetes in the "real" world, hypo/hyperglycemia, resources, forms, and easy formulas for personalizing your insulin doses and timing, etc. It is the most detailed and clear book on the subject I have seen yet.
Something else this book has going for it is great clear writing and the unavoidable good-humor of the author. He really made me chuckle. If you are a pop-culture fan like me...and you recognize the phrase, "Hi, I'm Larry, this is my brother Darryl and this is my other brother Darryl," Then you'll feel right at home with this book!
I also found very interesting facts that I didn't know before - such as mind work lowers your glucose levels and that caffeine effects your glucose levels.
The only slight problem I had was that the author seems to be a man who really loves sports - while I am a woman who really does not! Many of his analogies use sporting examples which most of the time leave me pretty clueless. In addition, he definitely communicates "man-style." He uses very visual-type examples and explanations.
For example, I feel if the author were to give my husband and I driving directions, my husband would understand right away and take off. (He wouldn't necesarrily find the place - haha) I, on the other hand, would have to review the info, ask for landmarks, and make some notes. (I would find it for sure!)
While the book gives detailed and complete information, I would have found a little summarizing in the form of a cheat sheet would have been fantastic. Worksheets to enter your information and make up your personal plan would be great too. He does have helpful log sheets in the book.
As a result of reading this book, I feel more empowered regarding my ability to troubleshoot and correct. And it will open up a dialogue with my healthcare team and possibly start a battle with my insurance company. I found in my own personal case (and everyone is different), I would probably do best with a pump. In lieu of that, long-acting, short-acting AND an occasional intermediate acting insulin via syringes would be good too. I would feel confident enough to make the suggestions to my team, but I don't know how realistic it would be for them to provide me with all three different types of insulin. I woudn't hold my breath for a pump either!
In spite of this, I still give the book 5 stars because I feel it is so valuable and there is more than enough information for me to make my own info sheets and make suggestions for my care.
Summary of Think Like a Pancreas: A Practical Guide to Managing Diabetes with InsulinThere are dozens of books about managing diabetes, but none focuses specifically on using insulin. Now, in Think Like a Pancreas, certified diabetes educator and type 1 insulin user Gary Scheiner gives readers everything they need to know to "think like a pancreas," i.e., to successfully master the art of matching insulin to the body's ever-changing needs. A comprehensive, supremely practical guide free of medical mumbo jumbo, Think Like a Pancreas discusses day-to-day blood glucose control and monitoring; measuring and matching insulin to carbohydrate intake; the pluses and minuses of different insulin-delivery methods; hypoglycemia; exercise; the impact of emotions, stress, and illness; and the dozens of other issues that everyone taking insulin needs to master. A book that is long overdue, this first-ever, indispensable, all-in-one resource will enlighten and inspire the four million people whose lives and well-being depend on daily insulin intake.
|
 |
|
|
Not Dead Yet: My Race Against Disease: From Diagnosis to Dominanceby Phil Southerland, John Hanc Thomas Dunne Books; Published: 2011-05-10; Hardcover; BookBest price: $2.98Price in other shops: $25.99
Type 1 Diabetes: A Guide for Children, Adolescents, Young Adults--and Their Caregivers, Third Editionby M.D. Ragnar Hanas Marlowe & Company; Published: 2005-06-07; Paperback; BookBest price: $274.48
Blood Sugar 101: What They Don't Tell You About Diabetesby Jenny Ruhl Technion Books; Published: 2008-04-14; Paperback; BookBest price: $14.95
Diabetes Burnout: What to Do When You Can't Take It Anymoreby William H. Polonsky Ph.D. American Diabetes Association; Published: 1999-11-01; Paperback; BookBest price: $7.50Price in other shops: $18.95
The Everything Parent's Guide To Children With Juvenile Diabetes: Reassuring Advice for Managing Symptoms and Raising a Happy, Healthy Child (Everything (Parenting))by Moira McCarthy, Jake Kushner Adams Media; Published: 2007-04-02; Paperback; BookBest price: $7.95Price in other shops: $14.95
Diabetic Athlete's Handbookby Sheri Colberg Human Kinetics; Published: 2008-10-31; Paperback; BookBest price: $9.61Price in other shops: $21.95
Using Insulin: Everything You Need for Success with Insulinby John, D.B.A. Walsh, Ruth Roberts, Chandrasekhar Varma Torrey Pines Press; Published: 2003-01; Paperback; BookBest price: $15.48Price in other shops: $23.95
Pumping Insulin: Everything You Need for Success on a Smart Insulin Pumpby John, D.B.A. Walsh, Ruth Roberts Torrey Pines Press; Published: 2006-07; Paperback; BookBest price: $14.95Price in other shops: $23.95
The Ultimate Guide to Accurate Carb Counting: Featuring the Tools and Techniques Used by the Experts (Marlowe Diabetes Library)by M.S. Gary Scheiner M.S. Da Capo Press; Published: 2006-12-11; Paperback; BookBest price: $5.94Price in other shops: $10.95
The Sweet Life: Diabetes without Boundariesby Sam Talbot Rodale Books; Published: 2011-10-25; Hardcover; BookBest price: $19.89Price in other shops: $32.50
|